-
Ming-Na Wen attended Lisa Lu’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Monday, May 5 and wrote on Instagram that she feels Lu “paved the way for all of us Asian American talents”
-
Lu, a 98-year-old Chinese American actress, began acting in the late 1950s and has racked up over 90 credited movie and television roles over the decades
-
“I am deeply honored to stand in support of the next generation of rising Asian actors, whose paths I hope will shine even brighter,” Lu said during her speech at the Walk of Fame ceremony
Ming-Na Wen is crediting Lisa Lu with paving the way for Asian American performers and artists in Hollywood.
On Tuesday, May 6, Wen, 61, shared a number of photos and videos from Crazy Rich Asians actress Lu’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Monday, May 5, and paid tribute to Lu, 98, whose five decades-long career Wen credited as an inspiration to Asian American actors.
“It’s Lisa Lu Day!! ⭐️❤️ @lisaluofficial finally got her @hwdwalkoffame star at the young age of 98!!” Wen wrote in a caption to her post, which showed her posing with Lu, Awkwafina and Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences president Janet Yang, who spoke on Lu’s behalf at the ceremony. “She paved the way for all of us Asian American talents. She continues to work now, which is both inspirational and astounding.”
Wen, who famously voiced Mulan in Disney’s 1998 film and costarred with Lu in the 1993 drama The Joy Luck Club, also detailed the conversation she and Lu held just before the star ceremony began in the post’s caption. “Me: ‘Lisa Aiyi, congratulations on your star! I’m so happy for you!’ Lisa: ‘Thank you for coming, Ming-Na. When are we working together again? Call me.’ “
Related: Mulan‘s Ming-Na Wen Says New Documentary About History of Animation ‘Blew My Mind’ (Exclusive)
JC Olivera/Variety via Getty
Ming-Na Wen, Lisa Lu, Janet Yang and Awkwafina on May 5, 2025
“Now that’s passion for acting!!” Wen added in the caption. “I certainly hope to work with this magnificent, regal and iconic talent again! Let’s go! ❤️⭐️”
Lu is a Chinese American actress who began acting in 1958 with several television roles; she made her film debut in 1960s’ The Mountain Road opposite James Stewart, whose own Walk of Fame star is placed nearby her spot at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Lu referred to Stewart, who died at 89 in 1997, as “my first leading man,” as she spoke to those gathered for her star ceremony on May 5, even revealing that she had previously declined her own star as far back as 1960.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I’m so delighted to be honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with my own star. Acting in movies is my life and love,” Lu said in her speech. “I love all the people I work with and they inspire me with their creativity. They’ve inspired me to live even longer. Now my star is near my first leading man, James Stewart. Throughout my long journey towards becoming an accomplished actor, I declined the star, declined the honor of a star in 1960, for I could not bear the thought of anyone walking on my name.”
Monica Schipper/Getty
Lisa Lu on May 5, 2025
“Today, at 98 years old, I embrace the star as a testament to resilience and perseverance,” Lu added in that speech. “I am deeply honored to stand in support of the next generation of rising Asian actors, whose paths I hope will shine even brighter.”
Lu has appeared in 94 movie or television roles since she began acting in the late 1950s; she most recently appeared in an episode of Disney+’s American Born Chinese in 2023 and starred in the 2024 movie Hong lou meng, as well as the Hulu series Death and Other Details.
Read the original article on People
